Category: Bible

Fear of God – 2025 Day 43 (Genesis 20-23)

Published on by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 11, Genesis 20-23

“Abraham said, ‘I did it because I thought, “There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.”‘”

– Genesis 20:11 ESV

How ironic that Abraham said “there is no fear of God at all in this place” when he deceived Abimelech! Wasn’t Abraham himself failing to fear God when he chose to deceive Abimelech and risk his own wife’s safety, saying that Sarah was only his sister, rather than confessing that she was his wife?

Fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Like Proverbs 8:13 ESV says, “The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.” Or like we read today in Psalm 11:4-5 ESV, “The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD’s throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man. The LORD tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.”

Yet, moments later we read Abraham does indeed trust God, going so far as to obey the Lord’s command to offer Isaac, believing that “God was able even to raise him from the dead,” (Hebrews 11:19)

Just as Abraham is about to sacrifice his promised son, Isaac, the Lord’s messenger says, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” (Genesis 22:12 ESV)

It reminds me of Jesus’s words about proper fear,

“I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!”

Luke 12:4-5 ESV

Followed by,

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

-Luke 12:6-7 ESV

Don’t fear man because they can only kill your body. Rather, fear God who has authority to cast you into hell, followed by …. FEAR NOT! You are way more valuable to God than many sparrows!”

Friends, God’s children don’t need to fear because He will protect them from His wrath by the blood of His Son, but whoever continues to turn away from Him better be afraid because He is a just and righteous judge.

Let us not “presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.” (Romans 2:4)

Pray with me.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your mercy. Thank You for sending Your Son, Your only Son, the Son You love, Christ Jesus, to be the propitation for my sins.

Let me not presume on the riches of Your kindness and patience. I humbly bow before You in reverence, seeing my need for a Savior. I was bound like Isaac, unable to escape from my sins, and Jesus was that perfect Lamb that was offered in our place.

I pray for a right fear of You, Holy God, that I would not be afraid of man nor of whatever daily circumstances that can indeed be scary. Let me not fear anything that is frightening because our trust is in You who judges justly. Help me to trust that You will provide whatever I need for today.

In the Name of my Gracious Savior and Lord Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

Click here for more information on reading through the Bible in Two Years.

Our Just Judge – 2025 Day 42 (Genesis 18:16-19:38)

Published on by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read Through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 10; Genesis 18:16-19:38

“Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” … Then he said, ‘Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.’ He answered, ‘For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.'”

– Genesis 18:25, 32 ESV

A common argument against Christianity is that God is unfair, condemning good people to hell, yet here we read about God’s incredible mercy upon the people of Sodom. God would not unjustly wipe out even ten people. When not even ten people are found, God sends His messenger to rescue righteous Lot, his wife, and his daughters.

In case you have a hard time believing that there were no other righteous people found in that whole city, pay attention to the words of Genesis 19:4, “But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people to the last man, surrounded the house.”

I fear we humans are often prone to thinking too highly of ourselves, sure that we would be among those ten righteous residents of Sodom. Let’s not forget what we read in Genesis 15:6 that Abraham’s faith was counted to him as righteousness. This idea is repeated in many places in scripture, including Romans 3:10, “None is righteous, no, not one,” and Romans 3:23, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Abraham was righteous because of his faith.

We must be careful not be like that Pharisee in the parable that Jesus told which is recorded in Luke 18.

“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’

But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!‘

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

– Luke 18:10-14 ESV

We all deserve death and condemnation for our sins – the Pharisee, the tax collector, Lot, Noah, Abraham, and every one of those wicked men of Sodom. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 ESV) But our just judge paid the price with His own blood.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You, for Your mercy toward me, a sinner. Apart from Your grace, I would be headed straight to destruction. Apart from Your gift of faith, I am no better than those men of Sodom. Let their destruction be an example to me of Your justice in rescuing the righteous and condemning the guilty.

Please use me to be a herald of good news. Please help my heart to break for the lost sinners of my city who need the good news of the gospel.

We pray for our husbands and children. Please, Father, protect them from that evil tempter, the devil. Show them the way of escape which You promise to provide. Open their ears to hear cloud and clear the warning bells crying “danger, danger” when they’re tempted. Help us to help them and to be faithful prayer warriors morning, noon, and night.

And, thank You for sending Your Son, Christ Jesus to earth to be my sin substitute, to die in my place. He died the death I know I deserved.

In the Mighty and Merciful Name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Click here for more information on reading through the Bible in Two Years.

God Almighty – El Shaddai – 2025 Day 41 (Genesis 17:1-18:15)

Published on by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 9; Genesis 17:1-18:15

“When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless,”
– Genesis 17:1 ESV

“The LORD said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh and say, “Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?” Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.’”
– Genesis 18:13-14 ESV

Nothing is impossible for God. Nothing.

Nothing is too hard for Him.

No one is beyond His saving grace.

No prayer request is too difficult for Him.

Whatever need You have today, you can trust God with it. He is God ALMIGHTY!

Indeed, “those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.” (Psalm 9:10 ESV)

Let’s pray together.

God Almighty, El Shaddai, nothing is too hard for You. We trust You, Lord. Help our unbelief. Forgive us, Lord, for the ways in which we have lived in unbelief. Forgive us for doubting Your power and Your goodness. May we never scoff at Your wisdom, which is higher than ours. You are indeed the God who sees, the God who hears, the Almighty God. We lay our lives at Your feet and say, “Have mercy on me, a sinner.” You alone are worthy of our love and our trust.

In the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

Click here for more information on reading through the Bible in Two Years.

El Shaddai by Amy Grant
Is Anything Too Hard for the Lord? by Wonder Kids

When a Husband Chooses His Wife’s Wishes over God’s – 2025 Day 40 (Genesis 16)

Published on by kendraske1 Comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 8, Genesis 16.

“And Sarai said to Abram, ‘Behold now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.’ And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.”

– Genesis 16:2 ESV

Why, oh why, did Abram listen to his wife?

If only he had said, “No, Sarai. We must trust the Lord and wait upon Him. He is the generous giver of everything good. He will give us a child in His timing.”

It reminds me of Genesis 3 when Adam chose to listen to the voice of Eve rather than trusting and obeying God.

“And to Adam, [God] said, ‘Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, “You shall not eat of it,” cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life;'”

– Genesis 3:17 ESV

Both Adam and Abram faced lifelong consequences from their decision to heed their wives’ poor counsel.

Wives, we need to be very careful what we say to our husbands. Our husbands will so often go along with our suggestions – or demands – because they trust us, or they want to make us happy, or they just want to make us stop complaining. We need to recognize the power we have in our marriages and consider carefully the consequences of the words we speak.

Will you join me in praying for our husbands (and ourselves) today?

Heavenly Father, You are a good God who loves to give good gifts to Your children. Your timing is always perfect. Please help us to trust You. Help us to wait patiently for Your perfect gifts. Let us not grow weary of doing good. Let us not give way to unbelief and doubt. Instead, give us the strength we need to fix our eyes on Jesus and to wait patiently for His salvation. Help us to be godly helpers who seek our husband’s good and Your glory.

Please forgive us for all those times when we have gone astray and even led our husbands astray. We repent of our selfishness and pride.

We lift our husbands before You. We pray that they will cast all of their cares onto You and have faith to believe that You care for them. Let them not grow weak-kneed or cowardly. Help them to stand strong against temptation, especially when that temptation comes from our own lips.

In the name of Jesus, our faithful Lord and Savior, we pray, Amen.

Click here for more information on reading through the Bible in Two Years.

The God who Gives – 2025 Day 39 (Genesis 15)

Published on by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 7; Genesis 15

“After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, ‘Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.'”
– Genesis 15:1 ESV

“I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness,
and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High.”

– Psalm 7:17 ESV

A quick word of encouragement before we dive in today: always read the Bible in context. Don’t forget that Genesis 15 goes with Genesis 14. Interestingly, my husband just yesterday sent me a link to a satirical Babylon Bee article about reading the Bible one daily texted verse at a time.

Remember that at the end of Genesis 14, Abram gave a tenth of everything to the priest-king Melchizedek, and he refused to keep any of the spoil from the King of Sodom (Genesis 14:20-24). This is the context of the Lord saying to Abram, “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”

In today’s reading I was again encouraged that the Lord is El Elyon, God Most High. He is the possessor of all things, so He is able to give as He pleases. The Lord is who gives children, and the Lord is who gives land. The Lord is who brings judgment, and the Lord is who brings peace.

Like Job said after losing all of his possessions and even his children, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21 ESV)

If we feel like we earn our possessions by our own power and strength, rather than seeing them as a gift from God Most High, it’s a lot harder to lose them.

If we feel like we create children by our own will, rather than seeing them as a gift from Creator God, it’s a lot easier to refuse to have them.

When we see everything in life as a gift and the Lord as the ultimate giver, then we can receive whatever He sends with thanksgiving and humility.

Let’s pray for our hearts to be humble and thankful before our Almighty generous God.

Heavenly Father,

I pray that I would rightly see You as the great and gracious giver that You are. You are the one who gives and takes away. I pray that I would take refuge in the shadow of Your wings, trusting that whatever You have planned is for my good and for Your glory.

Help me to be humble. Help me to be patient. Help me to be truly thankful for all of my blessings – my husband, my children, my grandchildren, my friends, my church, my country, my home and my health, my clothing and food, and every breath that I take.

Thank You for the grace which You have lavished on me.

Thank You for Your undeserved forgiveness through the blood of Christ poured out for me.

Thank Your for Your Word which is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who leads me and comforts me.

Thank You for sending Your Only Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, to die in my place.

We praise You, Lord, in His Mighty Name, Amen.

Click here for more information on reading through the Bible in Two Years.

El Elyon, God Most High – 2025 Day 38 (Genesis 13-14)

Published on by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 6; Genesis 13-14

“And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.)

And he blessed him and said, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!’ And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

And the king of Sodom said to Abram, ‘Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.’

But Abram said to the king of Sodom, ‘I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, “I have made Abram rich.”‘”

– Genesis 14:18-23 ESV

What does it mean that God is the God Most High?

God Most High is the possessor of heaven and earth, who gives offspring and land, who brings victory and defeat. God Most High is the supreme, sovereign authority over all things in heaven and on earth. Every knee bows before Him. He is the creator, sustainer, and owner of everything. He is the ruler over all things. He gives and takes away according to His will.

And Jesus Christ, God’s only Begotten Son, fully God and fully man, God in flesh, God with us, is our Great High Priest and King, higher than any earthly priest or king. Take a minute now to read more about it in Hebrews 7. Here’s a taste of it:

“For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.”

– Hebrews 7:26-27 ESV

Let’s remember who we are praying to! We are praying to GOD MOST HIGH, and we have His own Son, Jesus Christ, higher than any earthly high priest, interceding for us!

Heavenly Father, God Most High, Creator and Possessor of heaven and earth, Ruler of all creation,

What a privilege it is to come before you and to lay our needs at Your feet. We know that You hear us. We know that You see us. Even though You are almighty and transcendent over all creation, You love us, Your children.

We ask You, Lord, to provide for us our daily bread, to forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us, and to protect us from the temptations of the evil one. Give us eyes to see You and ears to hear Your voice. Strengthen our weak knees to follow You and go wherever You send us, trusting that You are indeed God Most High. Give us grateful hearts that recognize that everything we have is a gift from Your good, almighty hand.

We pray for our husbands and children, that they will submit willingly to Your Almighty power and mercy and holiness. Give them the strength to be humble and honest, to walk with integrity and faith. Give them hearts like Yours.

In the Most High Name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, Redeemer, Lord, and Priest, Amen.

Click here for more information on reading through the Bible in Two Years.

A Prayer for your Husband’s Faith – 2025 Day 37 (Genesis 12)

Published on by kendraske2 Comments

Read Through the Bible in 2 Years: Genesis 12

“Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.”

– Genesis 12:1 ESV

Abram, too, finds his way into the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11, just as Abel and Noah whom we already read about this year.

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”

– Hebrews 11:8 ESV

In reading Genesis 12, I wanted to either focus on Abram’s failure to protect his beautiful wife from the advances of the Pharaoh or on Abram’s faith in God when he chose to go out to an unknown land.

But, instead, I’m going to choose Door #3.

Here it is: In spite of Abram’s shortcomings and failures, he is who God chose and called to be the father of His people.

Like Noah, a righteous man, chosen by God for a great purpose who became drunk with wine shortly after surviving the worldwide flood, Abram obeyed God in going out to this new place, yet he gives way to fear.

Like we read in Ephesians 2:8-10, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

From Abel to Noah to Abram to me and my husband, each one of us have been saved by our faith, not by our works. Yet our faith will lead us to do works of faith, whether in offering good sacrifices, or building big boats, or going out to foreign lands, or writing blogs one-day-at-a-time. May we all walk faithfully with our God.

Let’s pray together.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the precious gift of faith. You did not choose me because of any deed that I had done. In fact, You cast Your eyes and Your love upon me while I was Your enemy. You called me and chose me and drew me and put faith into me … and all I can say is THANK YOU!

Lord, I pray for my husband to hear You loud and clear. Help him to be strong and courageous and not to be afraid. Help him to resist the temptation to take the easy way out. Father, I pray that You will be faithful to complete the good work that You have begun in him. Direct his steps and protect him from the schemes and lies of the evil one. Give him the strength and wisdom to follow You. Help him to know Your Word and hear Your voice as You lead him.

Father, help us as wives to submit to our husbands, not to fear anything that is frightening. Encourage us to sit daily at Your feet, that we might trust You when life is scary. Help us to keep a careful watch over our mouths and our minds, thinking and speaking the truth in love. Make us godly helpmeets, doing good to our husbands all the days of his life, so that his heart can trust us and he will have no lack of gain.

Lord, we submit to You and Your will for our lives. We will go where you send us, when you send us, trusting that Your ways and thoughts are always better than ours.

In the Good and Sovereign Name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Click here for more information on reading through the Bible in Two Years.

God Disperses the People + Psalm 5 – 2025 Day 36 (Genesis 11)

Published on by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read Through the Bible in 2 Years: Genesis 11, Psalm 5

Remember when God told Noah and his sons to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. Well, Noah’s family multiplied, but they didn’t want to spread out to fill the earth. They didn’t want to be dispersed. They wanted to stay in one place and make a name for themselves.

But God …

Like we read yesterday about God’s sovereign purpose and wisdom in the lives of Noah’s three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, God again carries out His good plan of mankind filling the earth. God confused the people’s language … for their good and His glory!

Can you image how that must have felt to suddenly not be able to communicate with your own family and friends? I’m sure that was very frustrating! It reminds me of the times I’ve spent in China, Hungary, and Russia.

But God …

I’m so thankful that God scattered those first people all over the world, and so thankful that God sovereignly ordained for Christians to be scattered all over the world so people from every tribe and tongue might know and worship Him — we’ll get to that again later but if you can’t wait take a peek at Acts 8:1-4 for a taste of how persecution caused the early believers in Christ to be scattered.

Let’s praise the Lord together from Psalm 5

Give ear to my words, O LORD;
consider my groaning.

Give attention to the sound of my cry,
my King and my God, for to you do I pray.

O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice;
in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you.

The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers.

You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house.

I will bow down toward your holy temple
in the fear of you.

Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.

For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.

Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you.

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.

For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.

Amen

Click here for more information on reading through the Bible in Two Years.

Give Me Jesus

Finding Favor in the Sight of God and Man – 2025 Day 33 (Genesis 6-7)

Published on by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 2; Genesis 6-7

“But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD…. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.”

– Genesis 6:8, 9b

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.

In all that he does, he prospers.

The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.”

– Psalm 1:1-4 ESV

“Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.

Serve the LORD with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.”

– Psalm 2:10-11 ESV

Like Abel found favor with God because of his faith, so did Noah. Noah walked with God, and therefore he lived a righteous life. Noah had reverent fear of the Lord, therefore he obeyed God and was saved. Like Hebrews 11:7 says, “By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”

None of us can live a righteous life on our own. It is only in trusting the Lord that we are able to follow Him.

Think of how Noah must have felt to be told by God to build a boat in the middle of a desert. Think of how he must have faced ridicule. Peter refers to Noah as a “herald of righteousness.” (2 Peter 2:5). Imagine the animosity he must have faced, maybe even from his own family. Don’t forget what we just read about Cain and Abel – Cain hated Abel because Abel’s deeds were righteous (1 John 3:12).

As you read through Genesis, try to remember that these are real people living real lives in real communities not so much unlike our own.

I pray that the life of Noah will be an example for us of how to live a righteous life, delighting in God and His Word, serving Him with fear and reverence, even in the midst of a very unrighteous world.

Will you pray with me?

Heavenly Father,

I pray that we would bind steadfast love and faithfulness around our necks and write them on the tablet of our hearts. I pray that we would trust You, Lord, with all of our hearts, leaning not on our own understanding. Help us to acknowledge You in all our ways. Let us not be wise in our own eyes, refusing to give way to cowardice and fear of man, living in reverent fear, knowing that You are the living God.

I pray that You will strengthen our husbands that they will walk by faith and not by sight all the days of their lives. Please, Lord, make my husband like Noah who walked with You, that he might be righteous and blameless. Give him strength to live for You and not for himself. Guard his heart from the fear of man.

I pray, also, for our children who are growing up in the midst of such a wicked generation. I pray that they will shine brightly for You, bringing You glory with their every word and deed. I pray that they will not forget what we have taught them – and that we, as their parents, would be faithful to train them up in the way that they should go.

I pray that You would lengthen our days and the days of our children, that we might accomplish all the works that You have given us to do. Add years to our lives, not that we might spend them in wicked, vain pursuits, but that we might have not opportunity to bring You glory, honor, and praise for You are worthy!

In the precious name of Jesus Christ my Savior and Lord I pray, Amen.

Click here for more information on reading through the Bible in Two Years.

Learning from the Lives of Cain and Abel – 2025 Day 32 (Genesis 4-5)

Published on by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 1, Genesis 4-5

We don’t really know exactly why God accepted Abel’s offering, but not Cain’s, but I think Hebrews 11:4 gives us some insight.

“By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.”

– Hebrews 11:4 ESV

Oftentimes, we want to do what seems right to us, rather than doing what God has said. We think, “What’s wrong with eating the fruit of that tree? It looks fine to me.” Or we think, “Why can’t I give God this fruit, I am a farmer after all?”

Yet, faith trusts God. Faith trusts that what God has said is right. Faith believes that God is good and all-knowing and that all His ways are right.

And like Hebrews 11:6 (explaining more about Abel and other men and women of faith) says,

“Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek him.”

– Hebrews 11:6

Who are we seeking? Whose reward do we desire? Who are we trying to please? Are we pursuing our own pleasure and comfort or are we pursuing the Lord?

It’s like the words of Christ that we read in John, “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.” (John 12:25-26 ESV)

When we’re living for the Lord, we must expect the world to hate, rather than love, us  In fact, Abel’s life is an example for us. “We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.”  (1 John 3:12-13 ESV)

Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is greater than I can bear.”

– Genesis 4:13 ESV

Were you taken aback when you read this? I was. When I first read this, I thought, “No, Cain, your punishment is much too light! You killed your brother. You deserve to be killed.” (In fact, Genesis 9:6 says just that.)

But as I’ve pondered it more, I see the foreshadowing of Christ bearing our sins, from the largest to the smallest. Cain deserved death for his sin, and though I’ve never murdered anyone physically, I deserve death for my sins, too. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 ESV)

I couldn’t bear the punishment for my sins any more than Cain (or anyone else) could, yet Christ bore our punishment in our place, that we might be forgiven by a just judge.

“[Jesus] committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”

– 1 Peter 2:22-24 ESV

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father,

We come to You with hearts of thanksgiving for Your grace that You have lavished on us. We confess the hateful thoughts that we have had in our hearts toward men and women created in your image. We confess that we have often been jealous of others – The relationships they have, the talents they have, the possessions they have, even the faith they have. We confess we have often gone our own way rather than trusting Your character and Your Word.

We thank You for sending Jesus Christ, the only perfect sin substitute, the Lamb of God who was slain for the sins of the world, including me.We humbly ask You to forgive us and cleanse us through the blood of Christ that was shed for us.

Please, Heavenly Father, give us the strength and wisdom that we need to live like Christ – not repaying wrong with wrong, not repaying reviling with reviling, but overcoming evil with good. Help us to entrust ourselves to You, the only one who judges justly. We pray that our lights would shine brightly – even when the world is yelling at us to turn our lights out. May we shine brightly for You.

In the holy and merciful name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Click here for more information on reading through the Bible in Two Years.